Attn: Levi's experts. Need help dating/pricing vintage pieces

[Stalker McStalkerson]

This is a copy from a message that I posted on the other SF. Just a quick note, the deadstocks in the picture are LVC '47 repros and are being used to compare the contrast in color.

I'm trying to figure out the year and value of some vintage 501s. I've narrowed down the date between 1954-1960, but I have no clue how to determine the exact year. Also, I'm really perplexed by the yellow button fly. Does anybody know the history/reason behind the yellow colored buttons?

Additionally, how much do these jeans in this faded condition typically sell for, with and without the paint? Reason I ask is because I have two pairs of this pant, one with shinier rivets and paint free (but lacking the dramatic left leg twist).

[Stalker McStalkerson]

[Stalker McStalkerson]

Also for the sake of fading, here's a deadstock comparison (fading from the deadstock is limited to a soak).

And just for giggles, here's the other pant (one without the paint).

[cheapmuthafukr]

id say youre right on with the date... as far as price? it really depends. you can check out ebay to see what other similar pairs sell for, and there are a few sites that sell jeans of that sort. http://www.redcloud.co.jp/top.htm is one that usually has quite a few pairs that you should be able to compare to.

very nice jeans by the way.

[tweeds]

what are the signs that give away the estimated date?

i just consulted the lightning denim book and the variations in selvedge lines in levi's is quite wide. redlines, bare ecru selvedge ('54-'66), half selvedge, selvedge with one side redlined and the other bare (early 201s)...wow.

[cheapmuthafukr]

^^ selvage coin pocket, hidden rivets, and paper patch.

[Stalker McStalkerson]

That Redcloud site was very helpful! Thanks a bundle.

I did mosey around Ebay the other day, but I found the pricing to be very inconsistent. Some pants (many probably fake) are running between 10-60 while others are raking in several hundreds of dollars. This pair for example was misrepresented, yet it sold for 500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Big-E-Levis-Jeans-Button-Fly-Redline-Size-35_W0QQitemZ200018963423QQcmdZViewItem

That being said, does anybody have information about the yellow buttons? I find them so intriguing...

[cheapmuthafukr]

my guess is just corrosion. i have a pair of jeans that i skated in alot, and the buttons have a similar color, tho a bit more blue tones in them. the corrosion on the rivets also leads me to think that.

[Guest Phrost]

Maybe some early hippie wanted to be different? The first thing I thought when I saw the yellow button was that it was old and rusted, but I remember seeing much older Levi's having perfectly non-yellow buttons. One question, how much did you get your deadstock ones for?

[haptronic]

i am no expert on vintage levi's...but i did think that the registered trademark symbol on the red tab was put on LVC repros to differentiate from genuine vintage...which had no symbol...

we need someone like serge or PaulT to confirm...

[cheapmuthafukr]

^^ im pretty sure it was added in the mid 50s. here are a pair of 50s womens levis, and these are definatly not LVC.

[BumbaClot]

i would think '54-'60 is an accurate approximation.

Since there is still selvedge in the coin-pocket i would guess closer to the 50's.

Since they are dark and in good condition i would guess they could sell for 700-1500 depending on whatelse is availible at on ebay.

good luck,

-b

[Whodinihimself]

definitely not repro's ... I've seen the registered trademark symbol on jeans much older than these....but I've never heard of any Levis that were issued with yellow buttons...probably just some freaky corrosion going on ...or maybe it was painted on by the owner...nice jeans tho..probably fetch $300 - 500 ... its a very unstable market for vintage Levis nowadays.

[Stalker McStalkerson]

CMF: That was also my first impression, and I think you may be right. The only thing that makes me think otherwise is that my other vintage pair has yellow buttons but very pristine rivets; so much in fact that they look brand new (check the 2nd post in this thread for pics). Nevertheless, the back of the buttons do feel slightly rough, so the oxidation theory could very well be valid. Do you know what metal/alloy the buttons are made from?

Haptronic: As far as I know, the ® was implemented after 1951 when the company began using double-sided red tabs. Prior to this, the red tab only said "LEVI'S" on one side.

Phrost: I don't think that the original owner of these jeans was much of a hippie (or an artist for that matter). Long story short, these jeans belonged to my uncle's father. My uncle was cleaning out his dad's house when he came across the jeans. He then proceeded to give them away to the flea market. Fortunately, there was a family gathering the following day, and because said uncle used to work for Levi's, we began discoursing about LVCs and the company's heritage. He then informed me that he threw out 2 pairs of 1950s-60s Levi's, which spurred a road trip to the flea market.

In regards to the deadstocks, they're just LVC '47 repros purchased for roughly 125 USD.

[airfrogusmc]

Heres an early 1950s pair of Levis for reference.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEVIS-501-ZXX-Vintage-Redline-Hidden-Rivet-Big-E_W0QQitemZ280022710524QQihZ018QQcategoryZ52392QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[tangerine]

Heres an early 1950s pair of Levis for reference.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEVIS-501-ZXX-Vintage-Redline-Hidden-Rivet-Big-E_W0QQitemZ280022710524QQihZ018QQcategoryZ52392QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I thought the ZXX was introduced in 1963?

[BumbaClot]

They are XX (hidden rivets) they will get way more than $300-500. You can safely set the reserve at around 500.

(David Little's Vintage Denim in 1996 valued these at $1,015)

[tweeds]

They are XX (hidden rivets) they will get way more than $300-500. You can safely set the reserve at around 500.

(David Little's Vintage Denim in 1996 valued these at $1,015)

is little's guide accurate to today's market prices? it's quite a dated book..

tangerine the ZXX's were first seen in the 50s i think.

[rnrswitch]

Are you sure the button isn't just covered in some type of acrylic paint? If the jeans have paint on other parts then in would be safe to think that they would possibly acquire paint on other parts. I

I think these jeans would go for at least $500 given their condition and darkness.

[pacioli]

^^ TIP I think you have a point. According to accounts of the vintage denim market (like James Sullivans) prices have gone down since the heydays of the early 90s. In his book "Jeans" he says "But the prices for vintage have tumbled considerably. Just as new Levi's are now shunned by many school-age kids in favor of Lucky or Abercrombie, vintage Levi's are not quite the cult status symbol that they were a decade ago."

[tweeds]

which means cheap vintage jeans, so much the better for us. prices are sure to rebound one day, keep a tight hold on all those jeans

[BumbaClot]

I've seen an online price guide put up by Levis before.

Though they would have plenty of reason to inflate the values....

Anyone have the link?